Rose Mae (Simmons) Wilcox passed away at the age of 100 years and ten months at Christian Community Home in Hudson, WI on December 18th, 2020.

Rose was born on February 24th, 1920 in Savannah, GA as one of eight children of the late Ida S. Simmons and Herbert B. Simmons. As a child, she enjoyed southern life and often talked about swimming in the community pool and attending many dances with her sisters. She attended Savannah Public School and graduated from Commercial High School in Savannah in 1939.

While she was working in the secretarial pool at the Naval Office in Savannah during WWII, she met Naval Seaman Howard Wilcox and was quickly swept off of her feet. They married on December 23rd 1945 and began their life together. Following Howard’s career path, they lived in Alton IL, Milton WI, River Falls WI, and finally settled in Hudson WI. She was a stay-at-home wife/mother raising their three sons Bill, John, and Bob. Being the only female in the household, she did her best to teach them proper manners, the value of church life, and routine household tasks like setting the table and ironing! After many years on Summer St., they built their dream home on Audubon Lane and lived there until Howard’s passing in 1984. She then moved back to her southern roots on the family property near Bluffton, SC. Many vacations and memories were enjoyed by her family when visiting her in the LowCountry. She taught us all how to throw the shrimp net and catch crabs with a chicken leg on a string off the dock. All while keeping an eye out for alligators! She always looked forward to showing off the South to the family. After living on her own until age 95, she moved back to Hudson to be closer to her sons and their families.

Rose was an excellent cook, especially enjoyed hosting dinner parties and family gatherings. She was especially proficient with her needlework—Cross stitch, needlepoint, quilting, knitting, and crocheting. Everyone in the family has a treasured piece of her handiwork in their home.

In her later years she enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially golf, tennis, football, Duke basketball, and many MN Wild hockey games with son John.

Rose was a classy southern lady, who never lost her Georgia accent! She will be greatly missed, but we will have wonderful memories of her and remember how lucky we were to have her in our lives for so long.

She is survived by her sons, Bill of River Falls (RaeAnn of Hudson), John of Somerset, Bob (Becky) of Altoona. Grandchildren, Paul of New Richmond; Darah, (fiancé Tim Purvis) of St. Paul, MN; Rachael (fiancé Broc Kensmoe) of Strum, WI; and Andrew (Eva) of Minneapolis, MN. Three great-grandsons, Jacob, Matthew, and Asa. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Fleming of Durham, NC. and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Howard; as well as her siblings, Margaret Bowden, H. Benjamin Simmons II, Nell Brannen, Robert Simmons, Vivian Bragg, and Lois Rockwell.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorials can also be sent directly to: Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library, 813 West Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436, RE: Rose Wilcox Memorial Fund. For more info, please call 715-386-3735, or email info@oconnellfuneralhomes.com.